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Kolbe reaction goes reductive

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The Kolbe electrolysis is a transformation renowned for forging C(sp3)–C(sp3) bonds. However, it is challenging to selectively make cross-products — that is, form new bonds from different partners — using this reaction. Now, a nickel-catalysed ‘reductive Kolbe’ reaction enables a decarboxylative cross-coupling approach.

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Fig. 1: Nickel-catalysed cross-coupling of carboxylic acids with in situ generation of redox active esters.

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  1. Twitter: @findlatergroup

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China

    Sheng Zhang

  2. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, CA, USA

    Michael Findlater

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  1. Sheng Zhang
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  2. Michael Findlater
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Correspondence to Michael Findlater.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Zhang, S., Findlater, M. Kolbe reaction goes reductive. Nat. Synth 1, 417–419 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-022-00088-3

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